HURRICANE IRMA track models forecast the storm will wreak havoc on several Caribbean islands before potentially hitting Florida in the USA. Here is the latest on Irma’s path and the latest weather models.

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“Hurricane watches will likely be issued for portions of the Florida Keys and the Florida peninsula on Thursday.”

Early forecasts had Irma travelling directly up the Floridian peninsula, however the latest models hint at the storm going up and along the east coast.

With potential US landfall not due until Sunday morning, forecasters are still unsure about the storm’s exact path.

Weather Company meteorologist Michael Ventrice shared a map showing the confusion, tweeting: “Major Hurricane Irma's track and US impact is still a mess past 72 hours. There is still room for change in the forecast track so keep [watching].”

Hurricane watches will likely be issued for portions of the Florida Keys and the Florida peninsula today.

There has been a mandatory evacuation order for residents of Miami-Dade, including Bal Harbour, Bay Harbour Island, Golden Beach, Indian Creek Village, Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Sunny Isles Beach and Surf Side.

Residents and visitors to Florida Keys are under a mandatory evacuation notice.

Florida’s Governor Rick Scott wrote on Twitter: “Every Floridian should take storm preparations seriously and be aggressive to protect their family.

“Please do not ignore evacuation orders. Remember, we can rebuild your home, not your life.

“Do not sit and wait for #HurricaneIrma to come. It is EXTREMELY dangerous & deadly- it will cause devastation. GET PREPARED NOW.”

Hurricane Irma: Latest maps

Bringing you the latest Hurricane Irma maps, updated daily

Irma has already ravaged Barbuda, St Martin, St Barts and Puerto Rico, and is on track to hit the Dominican Republic today.

Some experts warn Irma's characteristics mirror those of 1960’s Hurricane Donna which left a death toll of almost 400 and destroyed tens of thousands of homes as it swept along the Atlantic coast from the southern tip of Florida to New England in the north.

And as Hurricane Irma threatens to bring devastation to huge swathes of the US East Coast, it's feared Irma could be even worse than Donna.

Deadly Donna was only a Category 4 storm with maximum wind speeds of around 160mph whereas Irma has already a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane packing sustained winds of 185mph and more.